LUNENBURG — The father of Lunenburg eighth-grader Isaac A. Phillips is calling for Lunenburg High School's football coaches to step down for allegedly allowing football players to haze his son for weeks, leading to the spray painting of racist graffiti on their home.

On the foundation of the Phillips' family ranch-style home on Chase Road, the phrase "Knights don't need n******!" was spray-painted in blue letters after dark one evening last week, Isaac's father, Anthony J. Phillips, said.

Isaac plays football on Lunenburg High School's freshman and junior varsity football teams. Lunenburg's team is nicknamed the Blue Knights.

Isaac's mother, Andrea J. Brazier, discovered the racial slur Friday morning after Isaac had left for school, Mr. Phillips said, and called her husband and the police.

Isaac was pulled out of class Friday and that evening's football game against Oakmont Regional High School was canceled because of it, according to a collective statement by Lunenburg officials..

Isaac's parents, who have lived in their home for 15 years, said their son will not return to Lunenburg's school system.

"Andrea called me upset and then called the police," Mr. Phillips said. "The thing that bothers me the most is that the coaches haven't reached out or called us. We've received phone calls of support from a lot of people in Lunenburg. We figured the coaches would reach out and say, 'How you doing?' It is almost like it's acceptable."

Lunenburg High School Athletic Director Peter McCauliff would not comment on the issue and said the matter is under investigation.

Lunenburg High School Football Coach Steven Boone did not immediately return calls for comment.

An angry Isaac said he is confused why anyone would write that on his home.

"I just like didn't understand why anyone would do that," Isaac said, whose mother is white and father is black. "I don't even look black. This is my home where my family lives."

The incident was a culmination of weeks of bullying, Mr. Phillips said, including the theft of several of his son's jerseys and cleats that were later found in a trash bin, apparently filled with water before they were tossed.

"I told him he is not even a freshman yet and he's a good football player and some people are going to mess with him and to just keep going," Mr. Phillips said. "I told him it was kind of like paying his homage — you're the young kid and next year you won't be."

Then, the back tire of Isaac's bicycle that he frequently rides a few miles to school and home after practice was slashed.

Isaac and Mr. Phillips believe football players were acting out of jealousy.

"Isaac is a great player and there is going to be jealousy," Mr. Phillips said. "But when you destroy somebody's property and there are racial slurs, it is a whole different ballgame and is escalated to a whole different level."

He said when the school was notified his son's bike tire was slashed, they asked questions and looked at recordings from the school's surveillance cameras, but could not determine who did it.

They told the football coaches, Mr. Phillips said, but were told by them, "I highly doubt it was a football player," he said.

"The coach should try to get to the bottom of it," he said. "I don't care who it is. You get to the bottom of it and hold them accountable. That wasn't done. When there is property damage done, you have to draw a line as a coach or football organization and say this is not tolerable."

Mr. Phillips said he believes the inaction of the coaches emboldened the bullies, who felt they could then trespass on his property and deface his home.

Isaac is hoping he can attend school in Leominster, where he plays on the wrestling and lacrosse teams.

"I don't want to go to this school anymore," Isaac said. "I haven't really liked Lunenburg for a few years now. I want to go to Leominster."

A collective statement was issued Saturday by Police Chief James Marino, the town manager and school superintendent.

In it, officials say they are aware of the issue and give their deepest support to Isaac and his family. Moreover, they say the incident is not behavior they foster or tolerate and it has deeply impacted the school, the football team and the entire community.

The matter is still under investigation, police said, and the FBI and district attorney's office were notified.

"We want to assure you we are taking this very seriously," the statement said.

Police are asking anyone with information to call (978) 582-4531.

Mr. Phillips said he and his wife are trying to shield Isaac's three younger siblings from it as much as possible.

"My 8-year-old doesn't even know what that word means and he doesn't understand why they would call him that because he doesn't even look black," he said. "Unfortunately, I have to explain to them what the word means and that people are that hateful still. It is not an easy conversation to have that people feel that way about his brother."

Mr. Phillips said he feels the school should cancel the Thanksgiving game until someone comes forward.

"I want more awareness that stuff like this still exists," Mr. Phillips said. "People should step in early and intervene. There were plenty of red flags and they still played three more games after his tire was slashed. Then, they felt the courage to come here at nighttime and write this on the back of the house.

"I really think they shouldn't play until they find out who it is. Then, whoever it is, it will come out and the coaches should be held accountable, step down and have someone else step in. The boys on the team are a reflection of them."

Contact Paula Owen at powen@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaOwenTG.

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